Captain America is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941), from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics,[1] and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Over the years, an estimated 210 million copies of "Captain America" comic books have been sold in a total of 75 countries.[2] For nearly all of the character's publication history Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a sickly young man who was enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum in order to aid the United States war effort. Captain America wears a costume that bears an American flag motif, and is armed with an indestructible shield that can be thrown as a weapon.[3]

An intentionally patriotic creation who was often depicted fighting the Axis powers of World War II, Captain America was Timely Comics' most popular character during the wartime period. After the war ended, the character's popularity waned and he disappeared by the 1950s aside from an ill-fated revival in 1953. Captain America was reintroduced during the Silver Age of comics when he was revived from suspended animation by the superhero team the Avengers in The Avengers #4 (March 1964). Since then, Captain America has often led the team, as well as starring in his own series. Steve Rogers was apparently killed in Captain America vol. 5, #25 (March 2007), although he was later revealed to be alive; in any case, the Captain America series continues publication[4] with Rogers' former sidekick, James "Bucky" Barnes, having taken up the mantle with Rogers insisting he continue in that capacity at least for now.

Publication history

Writer Joe Simon conceived the idea for Captain America, which was refined by his partner, artist Jack Kirby, in 1941. Captain America was a consciously political creation. Simon and Kirby were morally repulsed by the actions of Nazi Germany in the years leading up to the United States' involvement in World War II and felt war was inevitable. Simon later said, "The opponents to the war were all quite well organized. We wanted to have our say too."[5]

Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941) — on sale in December 1940, a year before the bombing of Pearl Harbor but a full year into World War II, showed the protagonist punching Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in the jaw — sold nearly one million copies.[6] While most readers responded favorably to the comic, some took objection. Simon noted, "When the first issue came out we got a lot of . . . threatening letters and hate mail. Some people really opposed what Cap stood for."[5] Though preceded as a "patriotically themed superhero" by MLJ's The Shield, Captain America immediately became the most prominent and enduring of that wave of superheroes introduced in American comic books prior to and during World War II[citation needed]. With his sidekick Bucky, Captain America faced Nazis, Japanese and other threats to wartime America and the Allies. Captain America soon became Timely's most popular character and even had a fan-club called the "Sentinels of Liberty."[5] Circulation figures remained close to a million copies per month after the debut issue, which outstripped even the circulation of news magazines like Time during the period.[7] After the Simon & Kirby team moved to DC late 1941, having produced Captain America Comics through issue #10 (January 1942), Al Avison and Syd Shores became regular pencillers of the celebrated title, with one generally inking over the other. The character was also featured in All Winners Comics #1-19 (Summer 1941 - Fall 1946), Marvel Mystery Comics #80-84,86-92, USA Comics #6-17 (December 1942 - Fall 1945) and All Select Comics #1-10 (Fall 1943 - Summer 1946).

In the post-war era, with the popularity of superheroes fading, Captain America led Timely/Marvel's first superhero team, the All-Winners Squad, in its two published adventures, in All Winners Comics #19 & 21 (Fall-Winter 1946; there was no issue #20). After Bucky was shot and wounded in a 1948 Captain America story, he was succeeded by Captain America's girlfriend Betsy Ross, who became the superheroine Golden Girl. Captain America Comics ended with #75 (February 1950), by which time the series had been titled Captain America's Weird Tales for two issues, with the finale a horror/suspense anthology issue with no superheroes.

Marvel's 1950s iteration Atlas Comics attempted to revive its superhero titles when it reintroduced Captain America, along with the original Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner, in Young Men #24 (December 1953). Billed as "Captain America, Commie Smasher!" Captain America appeared during the next year in Young Men #24-28 and Men's Adventures #27-28, as well as in issues #76-78 of an eponymous title. Atlas' attempted superhero revival was a commercial failure,[8] and the character's title was canceled with Captain America #78 (September 1954).

Silver Age revival

In the Human Torch story titled "Captain America" in Marvel Comics' Strange Tales #114 (November 1963),[9] writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby depicted the brash young Fantastic Four member Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, in an exhibition performance with Captain America, described as a legendary World War II and 1950s superhero who has returned after many years of apparent retirement. The 18-page story ends with this Captain America revealed as an impostor: it was actually the villain the Acrobat, a former circus performer the Torch had defeated in Strange Tales #106. Afterward, Storm digs out an old comic book in which Captain America is shown to be Steve Rogers. A caption in the final panel says this story was a test to see if readers would like Captain America to return.

Captain America was then formally reintroduced in The Avengers #4 (March 1964), which explained that in the final days of WWII, he had fallen from an experimental drone plane into the North Atlantic Ocean and spent decades frozen in a block of ice in a state of suspended animation. He quickly became leader of that superhero team. Following the success of other Marvel characters introduced during the 1960s, Captain America was recast as a hero "haunted by past memories, and trying to adapt to 1960s society."[10]

After then guest-starring in the feature "Iron Man" in Tales of Suspense #58 (October 1964), Captain America gained his own solo feature in that "split book," beginning the following issue. Kirby, Captain America's co-creator during the 1940s period fans and historians call the Golden Age of comic books, was illustrating his hero's solo adventures again for the first time since 1941. Issue #63 (March 1965), which retold Captain America's origin, through #71 (November 1965) was a period feature set during World War II and co-starred Captain America's Golden Age sidekick, Bucky.

In the 1970s, the post-war versions of Captain America were retconned into separate, successive characters who briefly took up the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers went into suspended animation near the end of World War II.[11][12] The hero found a new generation of readers as leader of the all-star superhero team the Avengers, and in a new solo feature beginning in Tales of Suspense #59 (November 1964), a "split book" shared with the feature "Iron Man". Kirby drew all but two of the stories in Tales of Suspense, which became Captain America with #100 (April 1968); Gil Kane and John Romita Sr. each filled in once. Several stories were finished by penciller-inker George Tuska over Kirby layouts, with one finished by Romita Sr. and another by penciller Dick Ayers and inker John Tartaglione. Kirby's regular inkers on the series were Frank Giacoia (as "Frank Ray") and Joe Sinnott, though Don Heck and Golden Age Captain America artist Syd Shores inked one story each. The new title Captain America continued to feature artwork by Kirby, as well as a short run by Jim Steranko, and work by many of the industry's top artists and writers. It was called Captain America and the Falcon from #134-222 (although the Falcon's name was not on the cover for issues 193, 200 and 216).

This series — considered Captain America vol. 1 by comics researchers and historians,[13] following the 1940s Captain America Comics and its 1950s numbering continuation — ended with #454 (August 1996). It was almost immediately followed by the 13-issue Captain America vol. 2 (November 1996 - November 1997),[14] the 50-issue Captain America vol. 3 (January 1998 - February 2002),[15] the 32-issue Captain America vol. 4 (June 2002 - December 2004)[16] and Captain America vol. 5 (January 2005 - July 2009 ).[17]. Beginning with the 600th overall issue counting these series, Captain America resumes its original numbering with issue #600, as if the series continued after #454.

There were attempts for a second series such as Captain America Sentinel of Liberty (September 1998-August 1999) and Captain America and the Falcon (May 2004-June 2005).

As part of the aftermath of Marvel Comics' company crossover "Civil War", Steve Rogers was killed in Captain America vol. 5, #25 (March 2007). Series writer Ed Brubaker remarked, "What I found is that all the really hard-core left-wing fans want Cap to be standing out on and giving speeches on the street corner against the George W. Bush administration, and all the really right-wing fans all want him to be over in the streets of Baghdad, punching out Saddam Hussein".[18]

The character's death came as a blow to co-creator Joe Simon, who said, "It's a hell of a time for him to go. We really need him now."[18]

In August 2007, Marvel announced that the Captain America of the 1940s will travel to the present day in a 12-issue series created by Alex Ross.[19] Marvel also announced that a new Captain America, with a costume designed by Ross, would debut in Captain America #34.[20]

The 2007 mini-seriesCaptain America: The Chosen, written by David Morrell and penciled by Mitchell Breitweiser, depicts a dying Steve Rogers' final minutes, at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, as his spirit guides James Newman, a young American marine fighting in Afghanistan. The Chosen is not part of the main Marvel Universe continuity.[21][22]

The Return of Steve Rogers

The New York Daily News and Newsarama both confirmed that Steve Rogers would be returning. The storyline began in issue #600.[23][24] Steve Rogers returned to life on July 1, 2009, as part of a six-book series entitled Captain America: Reborn.[25]

Reborn, by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Bryan Hitch, centered on the resurrection of Captain America.[26][27]. After his return, the final decision of whether Captain America would be Steve or his successor Bucky was decided in a one-shot, Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield?

Fictional character biography

1940s

Steve Rogers was born on July 4, 1917 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City, to Irish immigrants Sarah and Joseph Rogers.[28] Joseph Rogers died when Steve was only a child and his mother, Sarah, died of pneumonia while Steve was a teen. By early 1940, before America's entry into World War II, Rogers is a tall but scrawny fine arts student specializing in illustration. Disturbed by the rise of the Third Reich, Rogers attempts to enlist, only to be rejected due to his poor constitution. U.S. Army General Chester Phillips, looking for test subjects, offers Rogers the chance to serve his country by taking part in a top-secret defense project — Operation: Rebirth, which seeks to develop a means of creating physically superior soldiers. Rogers volunteers for the research and, after a rigorous selection process, is chosen as the first human test subject for the Super-Soldier serum developed by the scientist "Dr. Josef Reinstein,"[29][30] later retroactively changed to a code name for the scientist Abraham Erskine.[31]

That night Operation: Rebirth is implemented, Rogers receives injections and oral doses of the Super-Soldier Serum. He is then exposed to a controlled burst of "Vita-Rays" that activate and stabilize the chemicals in his system. Although the process is arduous physically, it successfully alters his physiology almost instantly from its relatively frail form to the maximum of human efficiency, greatly enhancing his musculature and reflexes. Erskine declares Rogers to be the first of a new breed of man, a "nearly perfect human being."[30]

Rogers' physicality has been quantified in the Official Guide to the Marvel Universe as being 6'2" in height and weighing 240 lbs.

The process he underwent has varied from account to account. In the original 1941 story, he was injected with the formula. But when the origin was retold in Tales of Suspense #63, the Comics Code Authority and its prohibitions on demonstrations of drug use were in force, and the injection was replaced with drinking a formula. In Captain America #109, the Vita-Rays were first introduced, although a dialogue comment preserved continuity by mentioning that he had also drunk the formula beforehand. The retelling of the story in Captain America #255, however, stated that all three were used in combination.

After the physical transformation, a Nazi spy reveals himself and shoots Erskine. Because the scientist had committed the crucial portions of the Super-Soldier formula to memory, it cannot be duplicated. The spy dies, killed either while running away to escape Rogers or because Rogers threw him into live machinery. In the 1941 origin story, he dies when running into the machinery but is not killed by Rogers; in the Tales of Suspense revision, however, Rogers causes the spy's death by punching him into the machinery.[30][32]

The United States government, making the most of its one super-soldier and to hide all information about Operation: Rebirth and its failure, re-imagines him as a superhero who serves as both a counter-intelligence agent and a propaganda symbol to counter Nazi Germany's head of terrorist operations, the Red Skull. To that end, Rogers is given a uniform modeled after the American flag (based on Rogers's own sketches[28]) a bulletproof shield, a personal side arm, and the codename Captain America. He is also given a cover identity as a clumsy infantry private at Camp Lehigh in Virginia. Barely out of his teens himself, Rogers makes friends with the camp's teenage mascot, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes.[29]

Barnes accidentally learns of Rogers's dual identity and offers to keep the secret if he can become Captain America's sidekick. Rogers agrees and trains Barnes. Rogers meets President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who presents him with a new shield, forged from an alloy of steel and vibranium, fused by an unknown catalyst. The alloy is indestructible, yet the shield is light enough to use as a discus-like weapon that can be angled to return to him. It proves so effective that Captain America forgoes the sidearm.[31] Throughout World War II, Captain America and Bucky fight the Nazi menace both on their own and as members of the superhero team the Invaders (as seen in the 1970s comic of the same name).[33]

In late April 1945, during the closing days of World War II, Captain America and Bucky try to stop the villainous Baron Zemo from destroying an experimental drone plane. Zemo launches the plane with an armed explosive on it, with Rogers and Barnes in hot pursuit. They reach the plane just before it takes off, but when Bucky tries to defuse the bomb, it explodes in mid-air. The young man is believed killed, and Rogers is hurled into the freezing waters of the North Atlantic. Neither body is found, and both are presumed dead. It is later revealed that neither character actually died.[34]

Late 1940s to 1950s

Captain America continued to appear in comics for the next few years changing from World War II-era hero fighting against the Nazis to trying to defeat the United States's newest enemy, Communism. The revival of the character in the mid-1950s is short-lived, and events during that time period are later retconned to show that multiple people operated using the code name in order to explain the changes in the character.

The last of these other Captains was a man who was so devoted to emulating Captain America that he had had his appearance surgically altered to resemble Rogers. Furthermore, he also treated himself and a protege to an acquired Nazi copy of the Super Soldier serum to become the new Captain America and Bucky, but were unaware of the necessary Vita-Ray component. As a result, the raw chemicals administered began to have serious detrimental effects on the pair's minds, rendering them both violently paranoid and regarding even innocent people as communist sympathizers during the height of the Red Scare of the 1950s. After it became evident that the two were insane, they were captured and placed in indefinite cryogenic storage.

1960s to 1970s

Years later,[34] the superhero team the Avengers discovers Steve Rogers' body in the North Atlantic, the Captain's uniform under his soldier's fatigues and still carrying his shield. After he revives, they piece together that Rogers had been preserved in a block of ice since 1945, surviving in such a state only because of his enhancements from Operation Rebirth. The block had begun to melt after the Sub-Mariner, enraged that an ArcticInuit tribe is worshiping the frozen figure, throws it into the ocean. Rogers accepts membership in the Avengers, and although long out of his time, his considerable combat experience makes him a valuable asset to the team. He quickly assumes leadership,[35] and has typically returned to that position throughout the team's history. Captain America is plagued by guilt for having been unable to prevent Bucky's death-—a feeling that does not ease for some time. Although he takes the young Rick Jones (who closely resembles Bucky) under his tutelage, he refuses for some time to allow Jones to take up the Bucky identity, not wishing to be responsible for another youth's death. Insisting that his hero finally move on from that loss, Jones eventually convinces Rogers to let him don the Bucky costume,[36] but this partnership lasts only a short time; a disguised Red Skull, impersonating Rogers with the help of the Cosmic Cube, drives Jones away.

Rogers also reunites with his old war comrade Nick Fury, who is similarly well-preserved due to the "Infinity Formula." As a result, Rogers regularly undertakes missions for the security agency S.H.I.E.L.D. for which Fury is public director.[37] Through Fury, Rogers befriends Sharon Carter, a SHIELD agent,[38] with whom he eventually begins a romantic relationship.

Rogers later meets and trains Sam Wilson, who becomes the superhero the Falcon,[39] the first African-American superhero in mainstream comic books[citation needed]. The characters established an enduring friendship and adventuring partnership, sharing the series title for some time as Captain America and the Falcon.[40] The two later encounter the revived but still insane 1950s Captain America.[11] Although Rogers and the Falcon defeat the faux Rogers and Jack Monroe, Rogers becomes deeply disturbed that he could have suffered his counterpart's fate.

The series also dealt with the Marvel Universe's version of the Watergate scandal, making Rogers so uncertain about his role that he abandons his Captain America identity in favor of one called Nomad. During this time, several men unsuccessfully assume the Captain America identity.[41] Rogers eventually re-assumes it after coming to consider that the identity could be a symbol of American ideals and not its government; it's a personal conviction epitomized when he later confronted a corrupt Army officer attempting to manipulate him by appealing to his loyalty, "I'm loyal to nothing, General.. except the [American] Dream." Jack Monroe, cured of his mental instability, later takes up the Nomad alias.[42] During this period, Rogers also temporarily gains super strength.[43] He also learns of the apparent death of Sharon Carter.[44]

1980s to 1990s

In the 1980s, in addition to runs from such acclaimed creators as John Byrne, the series reveals the true face and full origin of the Red Skull. Rogers meets law student Bernie Rosenthal,[45] who becomes his girlfriend. He also takes Jack Monroe, Nomad, as a partner for a time.[42] He also meets Diamondback at this time.[46] The heroes gathered by the Beyonder elect Rogers as leader during their stay on Battleworld.[47]

Rogers receives a large back-pay reimbursement dating back to his disappearance at the end of World War II, and a government commission orders him to work directly for the U.S. government. Already troubled by the corruption he had encountered with the Nuke incident in New York City,[51] Rogers chooses instead to resign his identity,[52] and then takes the alias of "the Captain".[53] A replacement Captain America, John Walker, struggles to emulate Rogers' ideals until pressure from hidden enemies helps to drive Walker insane. Rogers returns to the Captain America identity[54] while a recovered Walker becomes the U.S. Agent.[55]

Sometime afterward, Rogers avoids the explosion of a methamphetamine lab, but the drug triggers a chemical reaction in the Super-Soldier serum in his system. To combat the reaction, Rogers has the serum removed from his body, and trains constantly to maintain his physical condition.[56]

A retcon later establishes that the serum was not a drug per se, which would have metabolized out of his system, but in fact a virus-like organism that effected a biochemical and genetic change. This additionally explained how arch-nemesis Red Skull, who at the time inhabited a body cloned from Rogers' cells, also has the formula in his body.

Because of his altered biochemistry, Rogers' body begins to deteriorate, and for a time he must wear a powered exoskeleton and is eventually placed again in suspended animation. During this time, he is given a transfusion of blood from the Red Skull, which cures his condition and stabilizes the Super-Soldier virus in his system. Captain America returns both to crime fighting and the Avengers.[57]

Rogers also resumes his on-again, off-again relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Sharon Carter, who, after his death, believes she is pregnant with Steve Rogers' child.

In the 2006-2007 "Civil War" crossover, Captain America opposes mandatory federal registration of all super-powered beings, which he sees as an erosion of civil liberties for the superhero community, and leads the Anti-Registration faction and resistance movement. He becomes a fugitive and opposes the heroes of the Pro-Registration group, including his former friend Iron Man. He adopts the alias "Brett Hendrick", a mallsecurity guard, to avoid government detection.[59] As the War continues, Cap enlists the assistance of several figures with whom he would not choose to ally himself under normal circumstances, such as the Punisher and the Kingpin.[60]

Captain America battles Iron Man during the climactic battle and has victory within his grasp when a group of civilians attempts to restrain him. Rogers realizes that he is endangering the very people he has sworn to protect. He then surrenders to the authorities and orders the anti-Registration forces to stand down. As Rogers is led away in handcuffs, the Punisher retrieves Captain America's discarded mask.

Death and aftermath

Following his surrender, Steve Rogers is indicted on multiple criminal charges. As he is brought to a federal courthouse, a sniper shoots him in the back. In the chaos that ensues, he is wounded three more times in the stomach and chest by Sharon Carter. Rogers is taken to a hospital, where he dies.[61] The assassination, orchestrated by the Red Skull, involves Crossbones as the sniper and Dr. Faustus posing as a S.H.I.E.L.D. psychiatrist, who gives Carter a hypnotic suggestion to shoot Rogers at a crucial moment.[61]

The superhero community is shaken by the assassination. The Punisher temporarily adopts a costume similar to that of Captain America, while Winter Soldier and Wolverine seek to avenge Rogers' death. The Winter Soldier steals Captain America's shield, and the Punisher provides him with the mask from Steve Rogers' uniform.[62] Captain America is publicly laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, under a monument built in his honor. The body in Arlington is a fake: Tony Stark, accompanied by Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, returns Rogers' body to the Arctic where Rogers had been found years before. Namor attends the small private ceremony and vows no one will disturb the site.[63]

Stark receives a letter containing Rogers' final requests: Stark should "save" Bucky, and that, despite his demise, the world still needs Captain America.[64]Bucky accepts Stark's offer to take on the mantle of Captain America in exchange for a promise of complete autonomy from Stark.[65] Bucky kept Steve Rogers' trademark shield, but donned a new costume and began carrying a pistol and knife.[65] The Norse god superhero Thor communicates with Steve Rogers' spirit on the first anniversary of his death. Thor grants Steve a minute of silence, by using his powers to cut off all the electronic media in America for exactly sixty seconds.[66]

Captain America: Reborn

Main article: Captain America: Reborn

Captain America: Reborn #1 revealed that Steve Rogers did not die; the gun used on him instead transported him to a fixed position in space and time. The Red Skull tried to use Sharon Carter and a machine created by Doctor Doom to retrieve him, but since Sharon destroyed the machine, Captain America has been phasing in and out of space and time, appearing at events in his lifetime and fighting battles. In one of these event phases, he relays a mission to the Vision,[67], who passes the message to Reed Richards, who concludes that Sharon is the key to bringing Rogers out of time. Reed is too late when the Red Skull gains control of Steve's body and uses it to fight Bucky.[68]

In the one-shot comic Captain America: Who Will Wield the Shield?, taking place after the conclusion to Reborn[69], Rogers wonders if he should even bother retaking the mantle of Captain America from Bucky. He feels that Bucky has grown into the role and that the identity means "something else" to him now. Going out on patrol, he encounters Bucky and Black Widow, as Bucky spots him and throws the shield up to Rogers. With it, Rogers easily takes down some hoodlums. Afterward, Rogers hands the shield back to Bucky, who does not want to take it back since Rogers has returned, feeling Rogers is the one true Captain America. Rogers tells Bucky that he's not sure he'll be back in the role, and asks him to keep the shield, to which Bucky reluctantly agrees.

Later, Rogers waits patiently in the White House and speaks to PresidentBarack Obama. Obama, feeling the SHRA was "un-American," gladly grants Rogers a full Presidential pardon, saying that he would only risk his reputation by doing so to Captain America. When Rogers explains to Obama that he may not be Captain America again, the President states that he may need Rogers for something "far greater".[70]

Siege

It has been announced that Captain America will fight alongside Thor and Iron Man for the first time in several years during the Siege event, which will bring the on-going Dark Reign event to an end.[71]

The end panel of Dark Avengers Annual #1 shows Bucky Barnes as Captain America. He is talking with Steve Rogers, who is in a dark body suit, as they observe Noh-Varr.[72] He welcomes the New Avengers to his base of operations after the Dark Avengers destroy Barnes' apartment.[73] The intro to the Siege storyline ends when Steve sees Norman Osborn and his Dark Avengers neutralize Thor on live television.[74] In the second issue of Siege, Steve Rogers makes plans to go to Asgard with a group of heroes including Nick Fury, Spider-Man, and Bucky. Rogers tells the heroes that he doesn't know how the world got the way it did but it is in chaos with madmen like Norman Osborn in control. Before the heroes leave for Asgard, Steve Rogers (in his Captain America suit) is pulled to the side by Bucky. Bucky tells Steve that he needs the shield in the fight against the Dark Avengers. Steve Rogers takes the shield but asks Bucky what he will do, to which Bucky replies "I will do what I do", while holding a large gun in his hands.[75]

Powers and abilities

Captain America has no superhuman powers, although as a result of the Super-Soldier Serum and "Vita-Ray" treatment, he is transformed from a frail young man into a "perfect" specimen of human development and conditioning. Captain America's strength, endurance, agility, speed, reflexes, durability and healing are at the highest limits of natural human potential. It has been established that Rogers' body regularly replenishes the super-soldier serum; it does not wear off.[76]

The formula enhances all of his metabolic functions and prevents the build-up of fatigue poisons in his muscles, giving him endurance far in excess of an ordinary human being. This accounts for many of his extraordinary feats, including bench pressing 1100 pounds (500 kg) and running a mile (1.6 km) in little more than a minute.[77] Furthermore, his enhancements are the reason why he was able to survive being frozen in suspended animation for decades. Rogers is also unable to become intoxicated by alcohol and is immune to many diseases.[citation needed] There have been many attempts to recreate this formula but after the death of its creator the secrets of creating a super-soldier died with him.

Mentally, Rogers' battle experience and training make him an expert tactician and an excellent field commander, with his teammates frequently deferring to his orders in battle. Rogers' reflexes and senses are also extraordinarily keen. He has blended Judo, Western boxing and gymnastics into his own unique fighting style and is a master of multiple martial arts. Years of practice with his indestructible shield make him able to aim and throw it with almost unerring accuracy. His skill with his shield is such that he can attack multiple targets in succession with a single throw or even cause a boomerang-like return from a throw to attack an enemy from behind. In canon, he is regarded by other skilled fighters as one of the best hand-to-hand combatants in the Marvel Universe.[78][79]

Rogers has vast U.S. military knowledge and is often shown to be familiar with ongoing, highly-classified Defense Department operations. He is an expert in combat strategy, survival, acrobatics, military strategy, piloting, and demolitions. Despite his high profile as one of the world's most popular and recognizable superheroes, Rogers also has a broad understanding of the espionage community, largely through his ongoing relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D. He occasionally makes forays into mundane career fields, including commercial arts, comic book artistry, education (high school history) and law enforcement.

Weapons and equipment

Captain America uses several shields throughout his history, the most recognizable of which is a nigh-indestructible disc-shaped shield made from a fusion of vibranium with an experimental steel alloy.[80] The shield was cast by American metallurgist, Dr. Myron MacLain who was contracted by the U.S. government, from orders of PresidentFranklin Delano Roosevelt to create an impenetrable substance to use for tanks during World War II. This alloy was created by accident and never duplicated, although efforts to reverse-engineer it resulted in the creation of adamantium. Captain America often uses his shield as an offensive throwing weapon. The first instance of Captain America's trademark ricocheting shield-toss occurs in Stan Lee's first comics writing, the two-page text story "Captain America Foils the Traitor's Revenge" in Captain America Comics #3 (May 1941).[81]

The legacy of the shield to other characters is seen when Cable reveals to Captain America that his shield still exists in one of the possible futures; Cable carries it into battle and brandishes it as a symbol.[82]

When without his trademark shield, Captain America sometimes uses other shields made from less durable metals such as steel, or even a photonic energy shield designed to mimic a vibranium matrix.

Captain America's uniform is made of a fire-retardant material, and he wears a lightweight, bulletproof "duralumin" scale armor beneath his uniform for added protection.[31] Originally, Rogers' mask was a separate piece of material, but an early engagement had it dislodged, thus almost exposing his identity. To prevent a recurrence of the situation, Rogers modified the mask with connecting material to his uniform, an added benefit of which was extending his armor to cover his previously exposed neck. Since then, events have forced him to reveal his identity to the world. As a member of the Avengers, Rogers has an Avengers priority card, which serves as a communications device.

Captain America has also used a custom special Harley Davidson motorcycle, modified by the S.H.I.E.L.D. weapons laboratory, as well as a custom-built battle van, constructed by the Wakanda Design Group with the ability to change its color for disguise purposes.

Enemies

Captain America has faced numerous foes in over 60 years of published adventures. Many of his recurring foes embody ideals contrary to the American values Captain America is shown to strive for and believe. Some examples of these opposing values are Nazism (Red Skull, Baron Zemo), neo-Nazism (Crossbones, Doctor Faustus), technocratic fascism (AIM, Arnim Zola), Communism (Aleksander Lukin), and international and domestic terrorism (HYDRA).

References

^ ab The 1995 Marvel Milestone Edition: Captain America archival reprint has no cover date or number, and its postal indicia says "Originally published ... as Captain America #000". Timely's first comic Marvel Comics #1, likewise had no number on its cover, and was released with two different cover dates.

^ Thomas, Roy, Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Universe (Sterling Publishing, New York, 2006), p. 11. ISBN 1-4027-4225-8; ISBN 978-1-4027-4225-5. The line reads: "With the speed of thought, he sent his shield spinning through the air to the other end of the tent, where it smacked the knife out of Haines' hand!" It became a convention starting the following issue, in Simon & Kirby's comics story, they depict the following: "Captain America's speed of thought and action save Bucky's life — as he hurls his shield across the room".

Contents

Crashing on top of a flying F-15, after the pilot exclaims
"Jeezus!" in Civil War # 1

Weapons down or I will not be
responsible for what comes next.

Facing S.H.I.E.L.D. Cape-Killers in Civil War #1

Ninety percent of the casualties of World War I were soldiers,
fraulein. But half the people who died in World War II were
civilians... Half of sixty-one million. I know why I'm fighting,
fraulein. I don't want to see World War III.

To a German student, Captain America vol. 4 #5. Actual
WW2 death figures around 72 million.

I fought your kind every day of that war, Zemo! You mocked
democracy and said that free men were weak! Well feel this grip,
Zemo - it's the grip of a man who loves liberty! Look into the eyes
of your foe, and know that he will die for his freedoms! The world
must never again mistake compassion for weakness! And while I live
- it had better not!

Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the
politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country
decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was
founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we
stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the
consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell
you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the
river of truth, and tell the whole world - "No,
you move."

Amazing Spider-Man #537

Do you actually think the fact that you know how to program a
computer makes you more of a human being than me?
That I'm out of touch because I don't know what
you know? I know what freedom is.
I know what it feels like to fight for it and I
know what it costs to have it. You know
compromise.

To Tony Stark, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. , Civil War: The
Confession

Captain America is not here to lead the country. I'm here to
serve it. If I'm a captain, then I'm a soldier. Not of any military
branch, but of the American people. Years ago, in simpler times,
this suit and this shield were created as a symbol to help make
America the land it's supposed to be... to help it realize its
destiny. Ricocheting from super-villain duel to super-villain duel
doesn't always serve that purpose. There's a difference between
fighting against evil and fighting for the common good. I'm not
always able to choose my battles... but effective immediately, I'm
going to make an effort to choose the battles that matter. Battles
against injustice, against cynicism, against intolerance. I will
still serve with the Avengers. I will continue to defend this
nation from any and all threats it may face. But as of today, I am
not a "super hero." Now and forevermore, I am a man of the people.
Together, you and I will identify and confront America's problems.
Together, we will figure out what we are and what we can be.
Together, we will define the American Dream and make it an American
reality.

Captain America, Vol. 4, #7

Listen to me -- all of you out there! You were
told by this man -- your hero -- that America is
the greatest country in the world!

He told you that Americans were the greatest people -- that
America could be refined like silver, could have the impurities
hammered out of it, and shine more brightly!

He went on about how precious America was -- how you needed to
make sure it remained great!

And he told you anything was justified to preserve that great
treasure, that pearl of great price that is America!

Well, I say America is nothing!! Without its
ideals -- its commitment to the freedom of all men, America is a
piece of trash!

A nation is nothing! A flag is a piece of
cloth!

I fought Adolf Hitler not because America was great, but
because it was fragile! I knew that liberty could be snuffed out
here as in Nazi Germany! As a people, we were no different then
them!

When I returned, I saw that you nearly did
turn American into nothing!

And the only reason you're not less then
nothing --

-- is that it's still possible for you too bring freedom back
to America!

What If?, #44

Courage, Honor, Loyalty, Sacrifice. You're braver than you
think.

Captain America: The Chosen

Sharon... So Pretty... You... Take... My breath...

Steve Rogers' Final Words , Captain America, Vol. 5, #25

These are dark and desperate times. I know that some of you are
afraid. It's alright. It's perfectly natural. But I want you to
know that I am not. I am not afraid to die this day because what we
do here is necessary. It may seem impossible, our enemies may
appear to be endless, but that doesn't matter. Because there is no
one else. Look at me. I believe in an idea, an idea that a single
individual who has the right heart and the right mind that is
consumed with a single purpose, that one man can win a war. Give
that one man a group of soldiers with the same conviction, and you
can change the world.

Yeah, I'm gonna fight you. You know why? Because I fought
besides Russians during World War 2. They were good and decent men,
and they made terrible painful sacrifices to save their country.
And to their country then turn around and put monsters in prisons
with nuclear landmines... to see people like you, proudly
complicit in this nightmare... Yeah, I'll fight you.
You've waited forty years for me in this hellhole, I feel it'd be
impolite not to kick your head in.

Television
Shows

When Captain America throws his mighty shield,
All those who choose to oppose his shield must yield!
If he's led to a fight and a duel is due,
Then the red and the white and the blue will come through,
When Captain America throws his mighty shield!"

Theme song from the 1960s Marvel Super Heroes Cartoon.

Capcom
Fighting games

Freedom Prevails!

Thumbs up, Soldier!

Good Work, Soldier!

For Truth, Justice, and the American way!

Believe in your country, but believe in yourself!

Stars and Stripes!!! (when performing his "Stars and Stripes"
special attack)